Which city is cheaper, Tokyo or Hong Kong?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hong Kong or Tokyo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan, glamorous, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Tokyo is a high tech, high energy, and vibrant city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tokyo and Hong Kong. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Hong Kong and Tokyo.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Hong Kong can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's skyline is one of the most famous "landmarks", but you'll also want to visit Victoria Peak, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Wong Tai Sin Temple, and Avenue of Stars.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Tokyo on the map. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.
Dining out at restaurants in both Hong Kong and Tokyo can be an enjoyable experience.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Hong Kong is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's population is famous for its frequency of dining out, and the prolific diversity of restaurants is obvious from the moment you arrive. There are street food stalls and night markets, as well as luxury award winning restaurants. The city holds tight to its culinary traditions, but fusion restaurants are creeping in as well. Some of the most famous Hong Kong foods include dim sum, sweet and sour pork, and roast goose.
Many restaurants in Tokyo have been singled out for their culinary prowess. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.
The nightlife scene is relatively similar in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Hong Kong has a large number of nightlife venues. The city lights up after the sun sets. You'll find a diverse range of activities in the evening ranging from night markets to concerts and parties. Many of the most popular venues are found around Central and, like everything else in Hong Kong, the venues are often compact and crowded.
Tokyo is a world class party destination. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
Shoppers can find a variety of stores in both Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Known for shopping, Hong Kong draws large crowds to its stores. There is a high concentration of shopping malls in the city, and you'll likely find yourself cutting through malls to access different parts of town. The city is arguably one of the best shopping cities in the world. Popular items to purchase in the city include designer clothes, handbags, electronics, jewelry, watches, and tailor-made suits.
Tokyo is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.
Hong Kong and Tokyo are both fun destinations for the whole family.
Hong Kong is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. In addition to its many fascinating cultural experiences like visiting the markets and historical landmarks, this city also has a diversity of kid-friendly entertainment options. The most obvious is Disneyland, but there are also other amusement parks and aquariums like Ocean Park. Make sure you check out the Symphony of Lights in the evening and head to The Peak Tower during the day.
Tokyo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. This is an incredibly kid-friendly city. There's Disneyland, but there are also many other entertainment centers, amusement areas, a zoo, aquarium, and more. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. They can visit temples, museums, and the Tokyo Tower. Another fun local experience is to go to a baseball game.
Hong Kong and Tokyo are both fun to visit as a couple.
Hong Kong has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This city is filled with luxury hotels, beautiful parks, and impressive restaurants. For a romantic evening, check out the Symphony of Lights over Victoria Harbour after the sun sets.
Couples visit Tokyo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This high tech city offers luxury hotels and spas, award winning restaurants, and unique date night opportunities like karaoke or sushi making classes. The city has many parks and gardens as well as malls, dynamic neighborhoods, and interesting museums.
Hong Kong and Tokyo are both good destinations for backpackers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Hong Kong. The city is more expensive than many places, but cheap eateries and free activities are abundant. Many backpackers stay in the Tsim Sha Shui area of Kowloon. This is where you'll find the frequently talked about Chungking Mansions. Times are changing though, and you'll find more hostels on Hong Kong Island these days as well.
Tokyo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Known for it's high prices, it can be a bit difficult to visit this city on a budget. There are dorm rooms available but they still come with a high price tag. Food is a bit easier as the eateries are diverse with many options on the cheaper side.
Visitors will find public transit in both Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Visitors in Hong Kong can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Land transportation includes the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, minibuses, and tramways. There are also ferries that connect the different parts of the city.
Tokyo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.
Hong Kong and Tokyo are similar when it comes to walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Hong Kong. The city has many parks and walking paths that connect different areas.
Getting around Tokyo on foot is easy. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.
Both Hong Kong and Tokyo have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Hong Kong is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Tokyo is 3-7 days.
Each neighborhood in Hong Kong has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Tokyo. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hong Kong. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
You'll find live music and food around the eclectic big city of Tokyo. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Hong Kong is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Hong Kong has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
You'll find food and shopping around the high energy city of Tokyo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Each neighborhood in Hong Kong has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
Tokyo is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tokyo, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $128, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $153. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hong Kong and Tokyo in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hong Kong or Tokyo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
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Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Tokyo:
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Tokyo and Hong Kong change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hong Kong and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Hong Kong much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hong Kong would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hong Kong and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Hong Kong.
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